From Ugly Shelving Unit to Fabulous Bar Cart

Lately I’ve really been into upcycling furniture. A few months ago I scored this ugly, damaged shelving unit for FREE from someone who was moving and ready to throw it out. I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do with it, so it sat in my garage for a month while I cogitated on it. And then it came to me. I was so pleased with the BYGEL IKEA bar cart hack that I did for my dad, that I wanted a bar cart of my very own. This ugly shelving unit was going to make the perfect bar cart, I’m just not sure why it took me so long to see it.

First, I removed all the shelves and spray painted the chrome frame a rose gold using Rustoleum Vintage Metallic Rose Gold Protective Enamel Spray Paint, from Lowes. I then replaced the top shelf (which contained a glass panel) with a shorter solid wood board that I stained grey with Minwax Wood Finish Penetrating Stain in Classic Grey, from Lowes. I cut a few inches off the ends of the two lower shelves, mostly because they were damaged and couldn’t be repaired, but also so they matched the length of the new top shelf.

I purchased 1.3 yards of Keepsake Calico Cotton Fabric in Grey Texture, from Joann Fabrics. I decoupaged the fabric onto the bottom two shelves with mod podge. I added some wheels to the bottom and some jewels to the handles to complete the look.

Because I already had most of the supplies leftover from other projects, the only items I needed to purchase to make this bar cart were the rose gold spray paint for $5.88 and the fabric for $5.18, for a grand total of $11.06. I’ll drink to that!

Finally, I topped it off with some really cute decor and alcohol of course. Cheers! ?

Our Newsletter

Receive special discounts and learn about our newest projects and special events!